Improvement in billiard-table cushions



S. BOOK.

BiHiard-Table Cushions.

N0.\57,737. Patented Dec;15,1874.

ZWJMJKJ V q/wml/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY COOK, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BlLLlARD-TABLE CUSHIONS.

Specification fcrmingpart of Letters Patent No. 1 57,737, dated December 15, 1874 application filed October 30, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIDNEY 000K, of Momphis, county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented an Improved Billiard Table and Cushion.

The following description, taken in connec' tion with the accompanying plate of drawings,

hereinafter referred to forms a full and exact specification, wherein are set forth the nature and principles of the invention, by which the same may be distinguished from others of a similar class, together with such parts thereof as are claimed as new and are desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States.

My invention relates to tables madeuse of in playing the game of billiards; and the nature thereof consists, primarily, in the provision of a central cushion, either permanently attached to the table or so constructed that it may be removed with facility. It also 0011- sists in constructing the table of octagonal instead of quadrilateral form.

In the accompanying plate of drawings, in which corresponding parts are illustrated by similar letters, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an octagonal table having a central cushion. Fig. 2 is a side view of the cushion. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the center of the cushion.

Billiard-tables, as now constructed, consist of a heavy frame of wood, which supports a bed of marble or slate. This bed is covered with a heavy and veryfine green cloth, stretched tightly, so that the surface of the table presents not even the most trifling inequality. Around the bed the frame of the table rises in a rim about an inch and a half high. The inside of this, toward the bed, is lined with elastic cushions, composed of vulcanized rubber combined with other substances, horizontal on top, and slanting upward and inward from the bottom in such a way as to present a thin edge to be struck by the ball when propelled against it. These cushions must be made with the greatest care, as a very great part of the skill attainable in the game consists in the proper calculation of the angles of incidence and reflection of the balls in striking and leaving the elastic sides.

To a table thus constructed I apply the central cushion A, which consists of an annular piece of vulcanized rubber attached to the wooden ring D, within which is secured the leaden weight E. The cloth is drawn tightly over the cushion by means of the clampingplatcs F F and the screwbolt g, which binds the said clamping-plates together. H designates an ornamental cap-piece, which is secured to the top of the device by means of a screw-bolt, S, and nut K. The said cap-piece is constructed of metal, and, together with the annular weight E, causes the central cushion to remain in the position in which it is placed upon the table by the force of its own gravity, and thus withstand the concussion of the balls which strike against it.

The cushion, which I term the imperial cushion, may be held upon the table by the force of its own gravity, or it may be secured thereto by means of a bolt, or in any other convenient manner.

The imperial cushion may be used on a fourpocket table, a six-pocket table, or a caromtable; but I prefer a table of octagonal form, as shown in Fig. 1. A table of this construction affords greater facility in making shots, and a greater variety of play, than those heretofore in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States-- The circular cushion, consisting of the annular elastic piece 0, the wooden ring D, the weight E, the clamping-pieces F F, the cappiece H, and the screw-bolts.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

SIDNEY COOK.

Witnesses:

E. D. BANNON, JOHN A. FLIET. 

